Style on Safari.

Let's talk about how to look good and comfortable on Safari?
- Good because shouldn't we always pay attention to how we dress at anytime. And if we think we look good, we feel happy.
- Comfortable because that is just what you need on Safari. You will go from game driving in either a closed or open vehicle with dust flying in to enjoying dinner on arrival at the camp because you stayed out a bit too long enjoying the evening's golden hour. Nothing wrong with that by the way.

These two ladies should know a thing or two about style. They are after all Houston's leading fashion bloggers. Sheree and Natalie are both wearing Kuhl's Rekon Jacket. The jacket is versatile enough that you can wear back home. Sheree is wearing her Kuhl Pants and Natalie is wearing her Prana pants. You get the general idea - no wrinkle pants, pants that dry up quickly and can be zipped open into shorts. Some even have bug repellants. 

Having 2 to 3 such pants is all you need on Safari. Re-wearing is totally acceptable on Safari. 

Style Tips:
- Sheree and Natalie upped their style with a bandana. They wore is around their necks as well as using it as a hair accessory. Always a good idea to have items that work in multiple ways. 
- Buying local jewelry. Sheree and Natalie got to shop at the Tanzania Maasai Women Arts's shop on our Tanzania with Mefi Safari. You too can do that before you head out on Safari. The lodges in Arusha will have local accessories in their gift shop. Or bring your own from home.

My buddy Carlos with his friend John and our amazing guide Ayoub.
Keep it neutral to distract bugs who love blue and black - though I am guilty of wearing those colors. Neutral colors also let you blend in with the environment. Keep it comfortable. Look for breathable clothing especially if you are going during the hot months.
Dri-fit clothes really do feel good when you are sitting in the vehicle for many hours under the sun. They can transition easily to evening wear by the campfire and dining tent.  

Style Tips:
- Up your game with a belt but only if you like. You decide how you want to be comfortable. 
- Important accessory here is hat. Not only does it look good, it is a necessity to protect yourself from the African sun. Baseball cap is just fine. 

I had such a great time planning this family Safari. We surprised Yanni for his 17th birthday in Serengeti. What a lucky kid! 

Style Tips:
- Good shoes. Not only is the ground uneven in some spot but there are twigs, tall grass, tiny creatures - who are much needed by the eco-system, crawling around ++. Up your game with some good hiking shoes that will take you beyond a Safari. Not a fan of those, even your daily sneakers will do.
- It does get cool in the morning and evenings. Scarfs not only keep you warm, but also add some glam. Men, get a vest or fleece jacket with good neck coverage.

Not into style. No worries. You're on Safari. Nobody cares how you dress.
*Just wear closed shoes though. 

Now let's get you on a Journey To Africa Safari. 

Honeymoon Safari in Africa.

Congratulations on your engagement! The best thing you have done is finding your love.
The second best thing you are doing is talking to us about your Honeymoon Safari. Being on Safari, with the one you love, will be the icing on your cake. 

Having planned many honeymoon Safaris over the years, we have a few tips on what made their honeymoon a success. Take one tip or take all.

Let's start the planning ...

Start off with some rest.

• Let's take you straight to the beaches of Zanzibar Island or exclusive Mnemba Island. You can catch some zzz's for a few days, enjoy massages by the Indian Ocean water and take leisure strolls on the beach. Recover from your wedding in paradise. 
• Go to one of the National Parks or Rubondo Island with the intent of chilling. Safaris are usually a go-go affair. You usually wake up early to see the sunrise out in the park and can finish the day out. Instead, we will choose a lovely lodge or tented camp with great views from your room. You will still be part of the wilderness experience ... from your room. 

Stay longer in one spot.

• One of the things I learnt from my own honeymoon is the art of staying in one place for a bit longer. There is nothing worse then having to pack and unpack and move especially the first few nights when you are exhausted. 

That one extra thing besides wildlife.

Take your honeymoon to the next level. We know just how to do that. 

• Have a blessing ceremony. We can organize a Maasai ceremony at our camp in Ngorongoro Region with a Maasai elder. Stop at a local religious center in the town of Arusha. We can organize a blessing with the local worship leader.  
• Hire a honeymoon photographer to capture your Honeymoon Safari memories. We can have the photographer shadow you for a day or two, or if you want, the whole Safari. You decide. 
• Donate. Instead of getting gifts from your guests at your wedding, ask to give maybe a portion to a charity in Tanzania. Then go see how your donation will be put to good use. We are sponsors to many wonderful charities in Tanzania. We know your money will be put to great use. Ask us and we can match the organization with your interest.

Excited! Great. 
Together, let's create a perfect honeymoon Safari for you and your loved one. 

Night Game Drive on Safari

When on Safari, you spend a lot of time out searching for game during the day time. The best times are usually early in the morning when the temperatures are still cool and the animals are active… searching for breakfast. As the weather warms up from late morning to early afternoon time the animals, and maybe you too can enjoy some good siesta time. If siesta is not for you, go out and you will still find animals grazing or ‘lazing around’ – still enjoyable to witness. Of course there are some animals who can not rest – never a dull moment. They will get active again late afternoon when the weather cools down.

Most National Parks close around sunset. Private conservation areas don’t have any restrictions and you and your guide will decide when you want to enjoy a night game drive - this can be a last-minute decision. A few National Parks [Tarangire and Katavi, for example in Tanzania and most parks in Zambia] do not have those restrictions either but you do have to have a permit and we have to book a ranger hence we need to know in advance if you want to enjoy this experience.

My first night game-drive was in dark, stormy night of November 2011 in Tarangire National Park at Oliver’s Camp.

Covered in our raincoats, armed with a ranger and a brave wind-bearing spotter in our vehicle driven by Alex the camp manager at that time, we drove out looking for animals. We had night vision goggles to aid in our viewing. We saw three male lion brothers who were later heard roaring around the camp, vultures feasting on an elephant carcass, jackals and more. If it was not pouring, we would have had a two-hour ride heading towards the Silale swamp. Ours was cut short because of the rains. Still, oh what a thrill! 

I have had many more night game drives since then. It is not so much about the wildlife that is easier to see during the day, but the anticipation of spotting the wildlife and the sounds that accompany it in the night. And the rewards can be pretty spookily beautiful.

Take a spin with us at night.
There will be a few surprising things to stare at on your night game Safari. 

Your Kids will Thank You.

Going on a Family Safari is a great investment. We are talking high yield in your family memory bank. You will also be alright with the 'Safari bug' you are bound to catch. Everyone who goes on Safari is struck. At this time, they don't have a fix and no one is looking for one. 

Investment of Time.

We are all busy. School, work, homework, deadlines, practice, etc. Go, go, go. The list is endless. When you are on Safari, you are forced to take a break from the day to day.

That time spent in the Safari vehicle out game driving, with your camera capturing all that you can see, is time well spent together. Chatting, planning, life talks... it all happens when you have the gift of time. Uninterrupted time. Pauses are always welcomed for a cheetah spotting or an elephant herd. 

You will spend time in the Safari lodges and tented camps; to just chill in the lounge or your room, connecting as a family. You will love our Bush TV time. Take a book, listen to music or write in your journal. Time, moments, together to last a life-time. 

Investment of Education.

Learning never really stops. Whether you are on your winter, spring or summer break - or taking a break from school and learning about the world - the best education is to experience first hand.

Learning happens throughout your Safari. On Safari, you will spend a lot of time with your Safari guide who will share a wealth of information on wildlife. Ask them about conservation efforts. Go to the root of the issue, you will see the other side of the coin. Talk to them about the people. In Tanzania for example, there are 152 tribes - what is their language, tradition, food, clothing and more. If you are going to a Hadza or Maasai village, you may get to partake in oral tradition, the way it was done hundreds of years ago. 

The Safari Lodges will have their own teaching. The crew will share regional dances. Ask them to introduce you to traditional and modern, internationally recognized songs, and of course food. They will incorporate lots of local dishes for you to try out. Be adventurous.

Investment for the future of our Planet. 

"Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." - Miriam Beard.

I have been lucky to plan many family Safaris over the last 16 years for children ranging from 3 years old to 18 years. All come back with the same theme. Thankful.

The children are thankful they got to experience something completely different than what they are used to at home. As a parent, you have just opened their eyes to how other people live in our planet and how we are all connected. Differences to be embraced. Similarities to be celebrated. We need more of that in the world right now.

Help them realize how precious and endangered the wildlife are and how they need our help to be safe. The more we know, the more we can do. And if they have spent time with wildlife, the more they will understand the importance of protecting them for generations to come. 

A few of my children clients who have grown up, continue to sponsor organizations like Rift Valley Children's Fund because they made a stop there when visiting Ngorongoro Crater. Some became supporters of organizations like David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust after stopping by for a visit. 

What Next?

Make your Family investment and head out on a Safari.
We can help you plan one that will be the highlight of your travel memory bank. 

Capture the Golden Hour.

On every Safari we plan with you, we know you can't wait to experience the amazing wildlife, the people, and much more on your Safari to Tanzania. 

I am going to share another experience on Safari that you will come to love. Natalie and Sheree, two Houston Bloggers who joined me on Safari, and I have some great memories of this epic time. 

The Golden Hour.
What is this hour? If you are a photographer, you know. For those who are curious, it is an hour after sunrise and before sunset.  The light around this time is just amazing. If you are not a morning person, it will make you a morning person on Safari. In the evening, you will eagerly anticipate this time.

In Tarangire.

My two Safari stories, where I got to capture Natalie and Sheree with the golden light are:

One. In Tarangire,  we were driving back to Oliver's Camp from our late afternoon game-drive when Julie, the camp manager flagged us down. She had a nice spread of drinks and yummy banana chips with salsa for us to enjoy while we captured this enchanting moment. A family with 5 children from Tennessee where also there with us who entertained us with some cheerleading and football. Not to be outdone, we also danced to Toto's, The Rain's Down in Africa under Sheree's dancing instruction - we have videos to prove. 

Two. After a siesta at Dunia Camp in Serengeti, we set out around 4:30 pm from camp armed with champagne as it was our last night in Serengeti. Our guide found us the perfect spot beside Lake Magadi to capture the magical time while we sipped our champagne. We were all feeling rather emotional at this time. This was our last night together on an amazing Safari in Tanzania. 

In Serengeti.

The evenings are all about those minutes where the light just fires up the Earth. Everything looks amazing. The day is saying good-bye, wishing a good night and promising a glorious day on Safari the following day. 

For me, this time always reminds me to feel lucky I get to be on Safari, my absolute favorite place, surrounded by the precious and ever endangered animals in our fragile eco-system. I never want to take these memories for granted.

So happy I got to share this experience with two amazing travel partners who enjoyed it equally and know they too felt the magic power of the golden hour. 

You absolutely must experience this for yourself.  You will never forget this light. 

"Amazing Trip to Africa."

I have known Aarthi and Prabath B. for a long time. Prabath's brother, Prasanth and I went to university together, and Prasanth and his wife Ali went on Safari in 2004 when the now glamorous Sayari Camp had just opened and was a luxury mobile camp. When you have been planning Safaris for as long as I have, you see a lot of evolutions. 

When Aarthi and Prabath emailed to say it's now their time to go on a Safari, I knew I had to make their Safari just as special as Prasanth and Ali's. I meet them at a coffee shop in Houston where I started taking notes. After listening and sharing ideas about their lodging style, activity interest, etc., I knew I had to incorporate Oliver's Camp, Plantation Lodge and Lamai Serengeti to their August itinerary - yes, I did give them the choice of Sayari Camp - but Lamai Serengeti won. 

It was such a pleasure showing Tanzania to Aarthi and Prabath Boya. 

The happy couple with some great backgrounds. Memories to last a lifetime.

Wildlife. 
They saw an abundance of wildlife on Safari including a crocodile dragging a wildebeest down when unsuccessfully trying to cross the Mara River and leopard mating in Serengeti.
What a sight that must have been to see!

Choice of lodges.
You don't have to go far sometimes to see wildlife. Here they are, enjoy an afternoon siesta at Oliver's Camp and Lamai Serengeti when elephants and zebras came close to their room. One of the reasons why we are picky about the lodge choices - you always want to be part of the environment, not secluded behind glass windows - unless you want that experience as well.  

"A huge thank you to Mefi Pishori Alapat and Journey To Africa Safari for arranging our amazing African Safari. Loved every minute of our perfect vacation from the beautiful lodges to the incredible guides. And best of all, we can check the great wildebeest migration off our bucket list! Can't wait to go back!"

For more of their photographs, see their albums on Facebook.
Tarangire | Ngorongoro | Serengeti | Zanzibar Island

Elephant Day

August 12 - every year.

On this day, all of us who love elephants so much, come together and remind ourselves on why these animals are so precious to us and what we need to keep doing to safe guard their future. 

Why Love Elephants?
Love them for their intelligence. Love them for the many emotions they display. Love them for their loyalty. Love them for the way they respect the dead. Love them for their grace. Love the little ones for their adorableness. Just love them.

Elephants are not just amazing to experience on Safari, they are incredibly important for our National Parks as a whole. From the water holes they create for other wildlife - especially important in the dry season, the seeds they transfer when they poo, the tree pruning they do along the way and much more. 

We need your help. Some trustworthy charities + organizations that do many great things for the African Elephant. Together, you and I can keep enjoying these amazing creatures on Safari.

David Sheldrick | WildAid | Elephantopia | Big Life Foundation | HoneyGuide Foundation

Yes, Safari Party

Tanzania, you bring so many people together. 

When Jann came back from her second Safari where she took her friends to Tanzania, asked if I would come to California for a post Safari party, I said YES. I am so glad I did.

We shared so many different Safari stories over glasses of wine. Jann, my lovely friend knows how to throw a great party. She asked the McLeans who had been on the first Safari with her as well as friends who are interested in going to Tanzania - the Safari bug is contagious. 

The group that went with Jann enjoyed a reminiscing party. We enjoyed going over the Safari photos and there were many good ones to ooo and ahhh over. And yes, lots of Safari Stories.

Judy and Kathy talked about their wonderful time with the Maasai ladies in Mkuru. Jeff, the only guy in the group, called himself the harem leader -- maybe like the impalas. He really enjoyed his time with the Hadzabe tribe. The hunting for food and berries was truly an experience he would want people to partake on their Journey To Africa Safari. Karen and Linda were just so happy they said Yes to joining Jann on her Safari. 

Here's to saying Yes.
Yes to going on a Safari with Jann.
Yes to meeting up with a great bunch of friends and sharing our Safari Stories.
Yes to many more Safaris to Tanzania in the future for Jann, Judy, Kathy, Karen, Jeff and Linda and their friends.

Yes. Make your Safari Party happen. I would love to come for a pre or post Safari Party.
I am always up for a Tanzania chat.